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The 400 Silent Years (from Malachi to Matthew): Illustrated
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Henry Allen "Harry" Ironside (October 14, 1876 – January 15, 1951) was a Canadian-American Bible teacher, preacher, theologian, pastor, and author. (Wikipedia).
Ironside published this book in 1914. It is a history of the time between the last book of the Protestant Old Testamend and the New Testament. From Malachi to Matthew. For most Christians this is a silent and unknown time. What happened in those years? Why was there no prophet speaking for God? Are there any writings from that time that can illuminate our questions? In what way did this time help prepare for the coming Messiah and the rapid spread of the Gospel? What can archaeology tell us? Answering this question can help us really bring the New Testament to light. It was these preceding 400 years that paved the way for the New Testament scene. A must read for all Bible students.Complete with the original 1914 illustrations.
About CrossReach Publications:
We are a family based home business. We are a husband and wife team raising a large family. It is our desire to publish books on a wide variety of topics that will teach, encourage, challenge, inspire and equip you to be the person you were designed to be. If you would like to find out more about us you can do so by searching for The Kinsella Bunch on YouTube, where we vlog our daily lives. If you have any questions or comments about our publications or our channel you can do so by emailing: daniela.kinsella@gmail.com
Henry Allen "Harry" Ironside (October 14, 1876 – January 15, 1951) was a Canadian-American Bible teacher, preacher, theologian, pastor, and author. (Wikipedia).
Ironside published this book in 1914. It is a history of the time between the last book of the Protestant Old Testamend and the New Testament. From Malachi to Matthew. For most Christians this is a silent and unknown time. What happened in those years? Why was there no prophet speaking for God? Are there any writings from that time that can illuminate our questions? In what way did this time help prepare for the coming Messiah and the rapid spread of the Gospel? What can archaeology tell us? Answering this question can help us really bring the New Testament to light. It was these preceding 400 years that paved the way for the New Testament scene. A must read for all Bible students.Complete with the original 1914 illustrations.
About CrossReach Publications:
We are a family based home business. We are a husband and wife team raising a large family. It is our desire to publish books on a wide variety of topics that will teach, encourage, challenge, inspire and equip you to be the person you were designed to be. If you would like to find out more about us you can do so by searching for The Kinsella Bunch on YouTube, where we vlog our daily lives. If you have any questions or comments about our publications or our channel you can do so by emailing: daniela.kinsella@gmail.com
102 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2009
551 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
About the author
H.A. Ironside
198 books43 followersHenry Allen "Harry" Ironside (October 14, 1876-January 15, 1951) was a Canadian-American Bible teacher, preacher, theologian, pastor, and author.
Ironside was one of the most prolific Christian writers of the 20th Century and published more than eighty books and pamphlets, many of which are still in print. As an editorial reviewer wrote of a 2005 republication, "Ironside's commentaries are a standard and have stood the test of time."
Ironside was one of the most prolific Christian writers of the 20th Century and published more than eighty books and pamphlets, many of which are still in print. As an editorial reviewer wrote of a 2005 republication, "Ironside's commentaries are a standard and have stood the test of time."
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
January 6, 2022
Short but informative. Not a deep dive into history but a readable overview.
August 12, 2025
Very educational
Historical dates and names of people throughout the silent 400 years. Putting the puzzle together one piece of history at a time. To read how the Old Testament prophecies were still being fulfilled to usher in the New Testament and how.....very enlightening.
Historical dates and names of people throughout the silent 400 years. Putting the puzzle together one piece of history at a time. To read how the Old Testament prophecies were still being fulfilled to usher in the New Testament and how.....very enlightening.
July 22, 2017
This is an interesting read. Ironside gives a brief account of the history of the Jews for the four centuries between the end of the Old Testament and the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. It was a period of unrest, fights for independence, unreliable associations, and the struggle for the purification of the nation. Ironside also gives a brief overview of the apocryphal literature of the period. It's a book worth reading.
January 11, 2019
Excellent history of the years between the end of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New, providing some important cultural and historical context for fully understanding the events of the Gospels and the book of Acts. The author draws important spiritual points from the events of those four centuries as well.
October 5, 2021
Let’s just say, It was not SILENT!!
January 18, 2025
I can't claim to remember a lot of the details in this book. Ironside traces the people and leadership of the land of Israel and surrounding nations between the close of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New.
The details of the leaders that followed from Alexander the Great are overwhelming to me, but definite themes stood out. The political plots, military endeavors, and family scandals are relentless.
At every turn the people of Israel suffered oppression and troubles with only brief seasons of relief. Probably the brightest lights during those 400 years were the Maccabees. However, in time, even this noble family declined and the ancestors of the original hero became villains.
Whether it was simply human nature, or the deliberate efforts of Satan to attack any Jewish leader just in case he was the promised Messiah, they all went through trials.
Something that stood out to me was the way in which the non-Jewish Herods became kings and given the opportunity to commit such atrocities. In 130 B.C. John Hyrcanus forced the Idumeans to convert to Judaism. The Herods were Idumeans and so though an un-Biblical move John set the stage for the attempted murder of Jesus, the murder of John the Baptist, the apostle James, and many others.
Another benefit of the book is to see the development of the movements that led to the Pharisees, Sadducees, and other political and religious groups firmly established by the lifetime of Jesus.
There are depths of detail in the 400 silent years which probably only benefit historians, but there are points that are invaluable to Bible teachers and Christians in understanding the times into which Jesus was born.
The details of the leaders that followed from Alexander the Great are overwhelming to me, but definite themes stood out. The political plots, military endeavors, and family scandals are relentless.
At every turn the people of Israel suffered oppression and troubles with only brief seasons of relief. Probably the brightest lights during those 400 years were the Maccabees. However, in time, even this noble family declined and the ancestors of the original hero became villains.
Whether it was simply human nature, or the deliberate efforts of Satan to attack any Jewish leader just in case he was the promised Messiah, they all went through trials.
Something that stood out to me was the way in which the non-Jewish Herods became kings and given the opportunity to commit such atrocities. In 130 B.C. John Hyrcanus forced the Idumeans to convert to Judaism. The Herods were Idumeans and so though an un-Biblical move John set the stage for the attempted murder of Jesus, the murder of John the Baptist, the apostle James, and many others.
Another benefit of the book is to see the development of the movements that led to the Pharisees, Sadducees, and other political and religious groups firmly established by the lifetime of Jesus.
There are depths of detail in the 400 silent years which probably only benefit historians, but there are points that are invaluable to Bible teachers and Christians in understanding the times into which Jesus was born.
August 20, 2023
This is a fairly decent read that helps flesh out the period in between the Old and New Testaments known as the Silent years. It kind of helps the reader to not only find out what was going on with regards to the Jewish people, but also find out where some of the most famous characters in history fit in along the extra biblical timeline.
In conclusion, the author also offers up another possibility for why the Jews ultimately rejected Jesus as the Messiah. Well worth the read, even just for historical value.
There is no bibliography or foot notes so if one was wanting to research the information in the book, they would need other material to support or refute it. This book was written in 1914. The edition is merely a reprint with pictures.
In conclusion, the author also offers up another possibility for why the Jews ultimately rejected Jesus as the Messiah. Well worth the read, even just for historical value.
There is no bibliography or foot notes so if one was wanting to research the information in the book, they would need other material to support or refute it. This book was written in 1914. The edition is merely a reprint with pictures.
May 31, 2023
Worth Reading
This book provides a brief version of Judean history from the time between the writing of Malachi, the last prophet in the Old Testament, and the birth of the messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. It is easy to read and understand and does not dwell on any singular event. My takeaway was the significant amount of political and religious turmoil preceding the birth of the messiah almost as if someone was trying to prevent His being born at the time and manner predicted in the Old Testament.
This book provides a brief version of Judean history from the time between the writing of Malachi, the last prophet in the Old Testament, and the birth of the messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. It is easy to read and understand and does not dwell on any singular event. My takeaway was the significant amount of political and religious turmoil preceding the birth of the messiah almost as if someone was trying to prevent His being born at the time and manner predicted in the Old Testament.
October 18, 2020
There are few books I would not read before reading this again. I would rather teach a worm to juggle. I would have more success selling an eel a pair of knitted mittens than to be able to give this to a friend to read - which I did, and it was promptly round filed into the nearest waste receptacle.
Ironside may have said some good and true things here, but it was drier than my mouth at 3AM on a warm summers night. Two stars just for the stories I now have of this book.
Ironside may have said some good and true things here, but it was drier than my mouth at 3AM on a warm summers night. Two stars just for the stories I now have of this book.
April 1, 2021
A helpful summary of the books of Maccabees and the works odd Josephus to five a history of the period between the Old and New testaments. Ironside does a good job of evaluating the actions and ideas of the heroes and villains. His final chapter details brief summaries of the notable apocryphal books, the good and the bad, explaining in each case why they should not be considered canonical.
3.5 stars, rounded up.
3.5 stars, rounded up.
October 13, 2021
This book was first published in 1914 and so the style of language is somewhat dated. It relies primarily on the book of 1 Maccabees from the Apocrypha with a few references from Josephus. It is a good high level view of the period between the close of the Old Testament and the birth of Jesus Christ. This book is good for supplying Bible readers with knowledge that most Christians I know do not possess.
October 25, 2022
Fills a need
This book fills a need of understanding for those interested in the inter resume two period. It leads the reader as the title says from Malachi 4 to Matthew 1 and to what happened in ancient Palestine from Persian to Greco to Roman rulership. It gives great context to the Gospels and as a bonus gives a worthy summary of the Apochrapha. All in a smooth writing style.
This book fills a need of understanding for those interested in the inter resume two period. It leads the reader as the title says from Malachi 4 to Matthew 1 and to what happened in ancient Palestine from Persian to Greco to Roman rulership. It gives great context to the Gospels and as a bonus gives a worthy summary of the Apochrapha. All in a smooth writing style.
Read
October 29, 2024With this work, H.A Ironside, bridged the history gap between the two Old and New Testaments, setting the stage for the events registered in the Gospels. Very particularly from the return old Juda to Jerusalem as told in Nehemiah and Ezra spanning to the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus.
It is not exactly an easy read, as his writing reflects the mental constructs and writing style of his time.
It is not exactly an easy read, as his writing reflects the mental constructs and writing style of his time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2022
Between the Old and New Testaments
If you were wondering what happened to Israel between Malachi and Matthew this book does offer insight. However it is written at the turn of the century and may be a difficult read for some. It definitely clarified why the Jewish people were so close minded towards Jesus as the Messiah!
If you were wondering what happened to Israel between Malachi and Matthew this book does offer insight. However it is written at the turn of the century and may be a difficult read for some. It definitely clarified why the Jewish people were so close minded towards Jesus as the Messiah!
February 1, 2023
I found this book to be a little difficult to read and follow, however the main theme of how our loving and forgiving Heavenly Father continued to protect, lead, support and love His children of Israel, through the 400 years of silence between the old and new Testaments was again most encouraging.
June 20, 2023
This short book was teeming with information about which most Christians no nothing. In fact, there were a few things about which I didn't know. It is books like this one that Christians need to read. We need to know more about our history. If we are truly to understand Jesus and the writings of the New Testament, then we need to understand the context and background in which they lived.
September 16, 2023
Very interesting
This definitely does what the title suggests. It puts in perspective the prophecies of Daniel concerning the future empires that would come after him.
Very enlightening information concerning how the Pharisee and Sadducees came to exist and how they evolved.
Author lists his sources allowing one to further study the content.
This definitely does what the title suggests. It puts in perspective the prophecies of Daniel concerning the future empires that would come after him.
Very enlightening information concerning how the Pharisee and Sadducees came to exist and how they evolved.
Author lists his sources allowing one to further study the content.
May 24, 2025
Another great little book by H. A. Ironside. A great man of God and used mightily by Him.
His information on the series "From Malachi to Matthew" was helpful and found the documents at "Faithful Words for Old and Young: Volume 17" Edited by H.F. Witherby https://bibletruthpublishers.com/bibl.... Those short vignettes are equally informative.
Reid Sandford
His information on the series "From Malachi to Matthew" was helpful and found the documents at "Faithful Words for Old and Young: Volume 17" Edited by H.F. Witherby https://bibletruthpublishers.com/bibl.... Those short vignettes are equally informative.
Reid Sandford
September 16, 2022
Not a bad read. A little simplistic in its presentation. A reader will probably get at least as much or probably more from reading I and II Maccabees. I found the running theological commentary a bit awkward, but to someone new to the subject, it could be useful.
November 19, 2022
Speaking of the Silence
This is a worthy read by a reputable theologian. One needs no more research to learn of this period of time between the Testaments. He then gives a helpful, brief overview of the Apocrypha. I’ll keep this handy for ready reference about this period.
This is a worthy read by a reputable theologian. One needs no more research to learn of this period of time between the Testaments. He then gives a helpful, brief overview of the Apocrypha. I’ll keep this handy for ready reference about this period.
January 2, 2023
Mostly a political history
It was my hope that this book would give more insight into the religious life, growth, and demise of the Jewish nation. However, what I found was more of a political commentary until the last section of the book.
It was my hope that this book would give more insight into the religious life, growth, and demise of the Jewish nation. However, what I found was more of a political commentary until the last section of the book.
January 20, 2023
Worthy
This book is a very interesting read, with a lot of subtext and understanding of why the silence. And a bonus of other unknowns that weren't included in the KJV Bible. I really enjoyed this book.
This book is a very interesting read, with a lot of subtext and understanding of why the silence. And a bonus of other unknowns that weren't included in the KJV Bible. I really enjoyed this book.
January 30, 2023
Best read and discerned
This book is best read in small increments followed by periods of reflective discernment. It's packed with an immense amount of information that is best studied slowly and deliberately.
This book is best read in small increments followed by periods of reflective discernment. It's packed with an immense amount of information that is best studied slowly and deliberately.
September 3, 2023
Nicely detailed and interesting
As to the history of the period Ironside goes into great detail, while interjecting scriptural insights. This is well worth reading and the reviews of the apocraphyl books are concise and helpful.
As to the history of the period Ironside goes into great detail, while interjecting scriptural insights. This is well worth reading and the reviews of the apocraphyl books are concise and helpful.
March 24, 2024
Very informative
It was interesting to read of the path and trials of the Jewish nation during the 400 years between the end of the old testament and the beginning of the new testament.
It was interesting to read of the path and trials of the Jewish nation during the 400 years between the end of the old testament and the beginning of the new testament.
May 13, 2024
What happened in the inter-testament period?
An enjoyable and informative history of what happened in the 400 years between the Old Testament book of Malachi and the New Testament book of Matthew.
An enjoyable and informative history of what happened in the 400 years between the Old Testament book of Malachi and the New Testament book of Matthew.
February 21, 2025
inspired history
Yes will recommend being a person that let their reading or lack of knowledge of the Bible. Will say I love history and want the Bible to introduce Christ to my heart and life, keep reading it let’s you see though the trees.
Yes will recommend being a person that let their reading or lack of knowledge of the Bible. Will say I love history and want the Bible to introduce Christ to my heart and life, keep reading it let’s you see though the trees.
August 30, 2025
I found this difficult to read, but I did want to find out more about the years between the testaments so i have a purchased a more up to date, language book to give me an insight into this interesting period
June 10, 2019
Makes you think, what if?
A lot of research went into this book. I would recommend it to young adults, because they need to think about why God was silent.
A lot of research went into this book. I would recommend it to young adults, because they need to think about why God was silent.
September 26, 2020
40 years of silence
I enjoy reading about Jewish history, and this book helped put the history of Israel in perspective. It was interesting.
I enjoy reading about Jewish history, and this book helped put the history of Israel in perspective. It was interesting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews